Guam CEDDERS Participates in Social Work Practicum Fair

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Demonstration Services Continuing Education Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Guam Systems for Assistive Technology
On April 20, 2018, Guam CEDDERS participated in the ​University of Guam, ​Social Work Practicum Fair held at the UOG School of Business and Public Administration Building. The fair provided an opportunity to help inform Social Work ​​students choose a field placement​ for their senior year​. ​Vera Blaz (left) Guam CEDDERS Training Associate, looks on as Tanya Simer (middle), current GSAT ​Social Work ​student intern​​, shares information​ about her experiences​ ​with​ Tiffany DeMesa (right), ​student, ​during the Practicum Fair.

Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Along with Guam System for Assistive Technology Attend the 11th Annual Autism Awareness Fair

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Demonstration Services Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Guam Systems for Assistive Technology
Representatives of the Guam System for Assistive Technology (GSAT) and Guam Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) attend the 11th Annual Autism Awareness Fair held on Saturday, April 14, 2018 at the Agana Shopping Center (Pictured L-R: Shawni Acfalle, GSAT AT Center Assistant; Joseph Taijeron, Social Work intern; Ruth Leon Guerrero, Office Technician (standing); and Marie Wusstig (EHDI Coordinator)
Social Work intern, Tanya Simer (Left) and AT Center Assistant, Shawni Acfalle (Center) demonstrate a switch adapted toy to children visiting the Guam System for Assistive Technology (GSAT) display table during the 11th Annual Autism Awareness Fair held on Saturday, April 14, 2018 at the Agana Shopping Center.

Guam Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Participates in the 2018 Interactive Parent Conference: Power of Play

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Demonstration Services Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention

Guam Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (Guam EHDI) staff participated at The Power of Play, a community outreach event for parents and children birth to eight years, held at various locations around the island. Guam EHDI Staff provided information to a diverse group of parents to increase awareness of the importance of hearing screening and how hearing impacts language development in young children.

Guam Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (Guam EHDI) staff participated in a community outreach event held at the Pagachao Housing area in Agat on March 17. Jenika Ballesta, Hearing Screening Facilitator, and Mary Kidd, Guam EHDI Consultant, provided information to a diverse group of parents to increase awareness of the importance of hearing screening and how hearing impacts language development in young children.
Mary Kidd, Guam EHDI Consultant, shares information with parents at Ironwood Apartments in Dededo on March 24.
Susan Dugan, Guam Positive Parents Together (GPPT) Project Coordinator for Family Engagement Activities (right sitting) and Mary Kidd (not pictured) shared information with parents at Gill Baza/Zero Down on March 26.

Susan Dugan, Guam Positive Parents Together (GPPT) Project Coordinator for Family Engagement Activities (top right), and Mary Kidd, Guam EHDI Consultant (bottom right), provide information to families in Toto Gardens on March 27.

 

24th Annual GSAT Conference Assistive Technology; Breaking Barriers to Accessibility and Independence

by Jenika Ballesta Community Services: Demonstration Services Community Services: Model Services Community Services: Technical Assistance Continuing Education Guam Systems for Assistive Technology

On 2 March 2018 Maria Bontogon, a student at the University of Guam, conducted a presentation on her assistive technology device called the Orcam for participants atending the 24th Annual Assistive Technology Conference held at the Westin Resort Guam. The Orcam is capable of reading printed text from any surface or material such as books, banknotes, barcodes, and can distinguish between faces/colors. The Orcam supports accessibility for Self-advocates with vision and print impairments.
Jeff Warfield, a Social Worker with the Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with Disabilities (DISID), presented on Accessible Parking requirements during the GSAT Conference held at the Westin Resort Guam on March 2. The presentation focused on the requirements for providing “Accessible Parking” at all Government and Business facilities, including the “Path of Travel” requirements under the American with Disabilities Act, and how to apply for an “Accessible Parking Placard” or License Plate”.
Evelyn Duenas, Self-Advocate, is shown having a discussion with Elaine Eclavea at the Learn to Sign Act Early Display Table during the Annual Assistive Technology Conference on March 2. Featured at the table was the: CDC Milestone Developmental Tracker App which explains the importance of knowing how children grow, learn and develop properly from two months to five years. Paying close attention to how they play, learn, speak, act and move provide cues to the development of young children. The Developmental Tracker App makes tracking developmental milestones much easier and fun.
On 2 March 2018 , Tia Ivanko, Technical Assistance Coordinator, and Stephanie Zito, Technical Assistance Specialist from the National Deaf Center on Postsecondary Outcomes, conducted one of the keynote presentations on how technology is an important tool to reduce barriers and increase communication access for deaf individuals in both education and employment environments during the Annual GSAT Conference held at the Westin Resort Guam. Their session included a myriad of options available for assistive and communication technology for education and training settings. Participants were given guidance, tools, and resources essential to employing effective services for deaf Self-advocates.
Finia Kachita, a student at Guam Community College, demonstrated how she uses her AT device called the KNFB Reader. This AT device converts printed text to speech or Braille instantly and accurately. It features the best optical character recognition (OCR) technology available and uses patented image detection technology to quickly and easily detect and decipher printed text anywhere and at any time. It helps blind, low-vision, dyslexic, and other print-disabled users live the lives they want, independently.
Shawni Acfalle, GSAT Center Assistant, provides a brief explanation of points shared on the State Rehabilitation Council Information Board to one of the conference attendees. The Information Board lists a variety of improvements that need to be addressed by Department of Vocational Rehabilitation to provide better services for people with disabilities on Guam. Shawni also discussed how the information may affect his personal, academic and employment endeavors in the future. Having technology, innovation and awareness are important tools to reduce barriers and increase communication access for individuals with disabilities as they pursue educational and employment goals.

GSAT Conducts Presentation on Assistive Technology in the Workplace

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Demonstration Services Community Services: Technical Assistance Guam Systems for Assistive Technology Uncategorized
On October 27, Leah Abelon (left), GSAT Center Coordinator, demonstrates the Specs4Us frames to Naomi Sanchez (center), Guam Legal Services – Disability Law Center Advocate, and Emilani Blas (right), Social Work Intern at Guam Legal Services – Disability Law Center, during a presentation on Assistive Technology in the Workplace.

Guam CEDDERS Participates in OPTAG Cerebral Palsy Awareness Outreach

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Demonstration Services Community Services: Model Services Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Guam Systems for Assistive Technology
(L-R) Shawni Acfalle, GSAT Center Assistant; Tanya Simer, Social Work Practicum Student; and Leah Abelon, GSAT Center Coordinator, display assistive technology devices at the Cerebral Palsy Awareness Outreach Event hosted by the Occupational & Physical Therapy Association of Guam (OPTAG). The event took place at the Agana Shopping Center on October 14.
Alieh Zinatroo holds her son, Ashkan Teimoury, while he uses the FireFly Upsee Mobility Harness during the Cerebral Palsy Awareness Outreach Event at Agana Shopping Center on October 14. The FireFly Upsee Mobility Harness is an assistive technology item that allows parents to assist their child to stand and walk.
Leah Abelon (right), GSAT Center Coordinator, poses for a photo with the Zinatroo family during the Cerebral Awareness Outreach Event hosted by Occupational and Physical Therapy Association of Guam (OPTAG).
Marie Wusstig (right), Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention (EHDI) Project Coordinator, shares information with visitors about the Guam EHDI program and the importance of monitoring a child’s hearing and speech development, during the Cerebral Palsy Awareness Outreach Event at Agana Shopping Center on October 14.

Assistive Technology Model Home Opens at GSAT

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Demonstration Services Community Services: Model Services Guam Systems for Assistive Technology
On July 28, the Guam System for Assistive Technology (GSAT), held an Open House for the Accessible Model Home and Demonstration Center. The Model Home features various Assistive Technology (AT) Devices, furniture, and appliances to help individuals with disabilities live independent lives. Among those that visited GSAT’s Model Home were (sitting,L-R) Dallas Taijeron; Edward Mendiola; and Tom Manglona. (Standing, L-R) Jana Mendiola; Ben Servino, Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with Disabilities (DISID) Director; John Guiao, Sherolyn Guerrero, Christina Jung, Guam CEDDERS; Marie Libria, Guam Developmental Disabilities Council (GDDC); Leah Abelon, GSAT Center Coordinator, Guam CEDDERS; Barbara Johnson; Kirsten Bamba, Guam Community College (GCC).
Leah Abelon (right), GSAT Center Coordinator, demonstrates various functions of the adjustable bed to Rosanne Ada (left), GDDC Director.
Christina Jung (right), Guam CEDDERS Research Associate, interacts with Barbara Johnson (left), using an AT device called Ubi Duo.

GSAT Provides Accessibility Information to Guam Hilton Resort & Spa

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Demonstration Services Community Services: Model Services Guam Systems for Assistive Technology
Michelle Angeles, Materials Manager for the Hilton Resort and Spa, visited GSAT on March 8 seeking information related to facilitating accessibility at the Hilton. After considering several options, she borrowed a Braille Labeler in preparation for an inspection to help ensure their facilities are accessible to individuals who are blind. The device was returned on March 17 after the facility successfully passed an inspection. The Hilton is now planing to purchase their own Braille Labeler. Shown (L-R) are John Guiao, GSAT Student Office Assistant and Ms. Angeles.